The Origin and evolution of traditional Thai Traditional Massage
A combination of economic, political and spiritual forces shaped the relationship between India in the age of the Buddha and the Kingdom of Siam. One result was the introduction of Buddhism as a guiding spiritual force among the general population.
After the invading armies of Burma destroyed Ayutthaya, the capital was moved further South to Bangkok. As soon as the Royal Family was ensconced in the new Grand Palace, all surviving text and inscriptions referring to the ancient art of massage were summoned and brought to the neighboring Temple, Wat Po. There they were transcribed to stone tablets, where they remain to this day.Wat Po continues to serve as a link to the rich history of Thai Massage. A very active school located within the temple grounds serves as a training center for many massage therapists in Thailand. Many therapists practising Thai Massage in Brisbane were trained at the famous training school at Wat Po.
Thai Traditional Medicine is a natural holistic approach to health and well-being, developed over thousands of years, which includes proper nutrition, physical exercise, the use of medicinal herbs and therapeutic massage. It is not only concerned with curing diseases and ailments, but also maintaining health and well-being. Ancient Thais believed that "the absence of illness is the best blessing". The medical knowledge developed by Thai people through many generations has come to be known as the ancient wisdom of Thailand.
Among the common people, traditions were passed down orally, but the royal court probably kept ancient reference texts on the subject of traditional Thai medicine. Sadly, most of these were lost when Burmese invaders destroyed the old capital of Ayutthaya in 1767. The remaining fragments, however, were commissioned to be re-drawn as stone etchings by King Rama III in 1832, and today, over sixty such epigraphs displaying treatment points, herbal remedies and energy lines are on public display at the famous Wat Po temple complex in Bangkok.
The theoretical basis for traditional Thai healing is rooted in the belief that all forms of life are sustained by a vital force (lom) that is carried along invisible pathways (sen) that run through our bodies. This force is extracted from air, water and food, and it is believed that disease and dysfunction come about when blockages occur along these pathways. Accordingly, Thai Massage’s intent is to free this trapped energy, stimulate the natural flow of life force, and maintain a general balance of wellness.
Over the past fifteen years, Thai Traditional Massage has begun to spread outside of Thailand and into the West. In some cases it has been hybridized and fused with other types of therapies, and this has happened for Thai Massage in Brisbane, where Swedish oil massage has been fused with Thai Traditional Massage. However, the strength of Thai massage lies in its timed-honored history and evolution. Performed within traditional Thai parameters, a properly administered Thai massage session can be a powerful tool for physical, emotional and spiritual healing.
Thai Traditional massage for curing a variety of mental and physical elements
Thai massage is one of the branches of Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM) and is widely considered to be a medical discipline used for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments.
Thai massage is directly related to Ayurvedic principles originating in India, and is said to have arrived in Thailand along with Buddhism. Like other Asian massage techniques such as shiatsu and reflexology, the theory of Ayurvedic bodywork is based on flow of energy between specific points on the periphery and the internal organs of the body. Pressure points stimulate the many energy meridians that results in a relaxation of the mind and body, promoting natural healing processes. In Thailand, Thai massage is considered to be energy work rather than body work, this is because the therapist is guided not so much by physiological aspects but more by following the intricate network of energy meridians. Even the yogic postures are considered primarily for their energetic effects, and only secondarily for their ability to improve flexibility and strength.
As per research, Thai massage is said to have physiological benefits, by improving circulation, flexibility, and muscle tone. In many cases (such as over-worked muscles, fatigue, strains and sprains) properly administered Thai massage can take a vital role in repairing damaged tissue. This blend of acupressure and stretching is especially beneficial for those who find themselves stiff, sore, and tired from over-exertion in work or sports, or from arthritis or other disorders affecting mobility. Thai massage can often help to recapture lost range of motion. By encouraging lymphatic function, this therapeutic deep tissue massage and stretching can also detoxify the body, heighten the immune system, and prevent injury by promoting flexibility and supple joints and ligaments.
Thai Traditional massage combines many different techniques into a single encompassing system, drawing particularly on acupressure, reflexology, and assisted yoga postures. It is a deep, full-body massage progressing from the feet up, and focusing on sen or energy lines throughout the body, with the aim of clearing blockages in these lines, thus stimulating the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body.
Thai massage is directly related to Ayurvedic principles originating in India, and is said to have arrived in Thailand along with Buddhism. Like other Asian massage techniques such as shiatsu and reflexology, the theory of Ayurvedic bodywork is based on flow of energy between specific points on the periphery and the internal organs of the body. Pressure points stimulate the many energy meridians that results in a relaxation of the mind and body, promoting natural healing processes. In Thailand, Thai massage is considered to be energy work rather than body work, this is because the therapist is guided not so much by physiological aspects but more by following the intricate network of energy meridians. Even the yogic postures are considered primarily for their energetic effects, and only secondarily for their ability to improve flexibility and strength.
As per research, Thai massage is said to have physiological benefits, by improving circulation, flexibility, and muscle tone. In many cases (such as over-worked muscles, fatigue, strains and sprains) properly administered Thai massage can take a vital role in repairing damaged tissue. This blend of acupressure and stretching is especially beneficial for those who find themselves stiff, sore, and tired from over-exertion in work or sports, or from arthritis or other disorders affecting mobility. Thai massage can often help to recapture lost range of motion. By encouraging lymphatic function, this therapeutic deep tissue massage and stretching can also detoxify the body, heighten the immune system, and prevent injury by promoting flexibility and supple joints and ligaments.
Thai Traditional massage combines many different techniques into a single encompassing system, drawing particularly on acupressure, reflexology, and assisted yoga postures. It is a deep, full-body massage progressing from the feet up, and focusing on sen or energy lines throughout the body, with the aim of clearing blockages in these lines, thus stimulating the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body.